OUGD505 - Design Practice 2: Studio Brief 2 (Easter Break Development)

Over the past few days I have done nothing but cut all of the work out ready for my stall at Waterstones when I return after Easter. It was quite a mad rush to get everything printed in time but I am so thankful for the printers at home as I wouldn't have managed to do it otherwise. I feel as though, now that I have built up a relationship with them, they will print anything out for me at really short notice. 

As I was unsure at first which stock to use for all of the printed materials, I asked if Chris at Flexipress would mind printing out a few samples on different stock. He printed out a selection of work on five different stock samples. This was so helpful as I was then able to take the samples home, cut them out and fold where appropriate, and then decide whether or not the stock was suitable or not. 

I was able to do this, and then get back to him on the same day to give him details about what I would like printing on which stock. I decided to use a thin stock for the box, as the ink cracked along the edges on the coated stock. 

I sat with all of the work spread out so that I could gradually cut it all out and alternate between each job so that it didn't seem quite as time consuming. They did offer at the printers to fold and cut everything for me, but when I explained how my box would be folded, I explained that it would probably be easier for me to construct it all, plus I don't mind, as it allows me to improve my crafting skills. 

When I went to collect all of the print outs, I noticed that the business cards hadn't been printed correctly as they weren't the right way up. Thankfully I noticed when I did because Chris was then able to print another copy off for me. 

This is a progression photograph, I tried to alternate and cut out a variety of different coloured flash cards so that at the end I could just pick them up and place them together as a set with the red 'seat belt' around it with the buckle.

I had ten different boxes printed in hope that I will sell them at Waterstones. This meant that I had a lot of boxes to construct and a lot of concertinas to cut out. It was such as time consuming task to complete but I know it will be worth it in the end. 

Below is my first completed set of flash cards. I am really pleased with the outcome of it and think that it adds a clever sensory touch to my work which will appeal to autistic children. Ideally, I would have liked to produce all of the materials using more sensory materials and sound effects, but this just wouldn't be cost effective. It is just something which I could propose and I plan to propose before we hand our work in for submission. 

At this stage I felt as though I was making progress. It has been such a lengthy progress and quite repetitive but I think it will all work really well together in the end. 

The most time consuming work to cut out was the boxes I printed out. This is because it has to be as precise and neat as possible as it is all on show and very visible. 

I had one of the boxes printed out on 280mil pulpboard but the ink cracked on it. However, I am going to use this stock for my flash cards as it is ideal. 

OUGD504 - Design Production: End of Module Evaluation

OUGD504 - Design Production: Design For Web Presentation Boards

OUGD504 - Design Production: Design For Web (Final Crit)

Final Crit Boards

This morning we had a briefing where we were split in to group A and B. Today group B (my group) were asked to put all of our web design sheets out as well as our laptops with our functioning website on, so that the other group could crit our work. We were asked to leave some questions for our peers to answer and so I asked the questions:

• Would you benefit from having a set of static headings on the homepage instead of a rollover image?
• Are there any issues with my navigation?
• Any other comments.

Above I have uploaded all of my different boards which I had laid out so enable people to understand where my idea has come from and to understand my development along the way. I spent quite a lot of time organising these boards as I feel it is important to present my work as succinctly and effectively as possible to make it easier for my audience. I also found that it helped me in my head to refresh my memory of all of my development. I therefore hope it was useful when people were reviewing my work.

The responses I received are as follows:

• Would you benefit from having a set of static headings on the homepage instead of a rollover image?

Response 1

I really like the way the links roll over to tell you more about the page. Makes the site feel more interactive. Static headings would be boring and I feel the illustrations create a really intriguing aesthetic, keep it as it is!

Response 2

The roll over images work really well. I like the fact it has small captions on what it is about.

Response 3

For navigation I would personally have the heading above the circle on the home page so that there's text as well, and just have the content within the circle appear when rolled over.

Response 4

I think the only reason you would benefit from static captions is that the navigation moves and therefore it may become confusing to the reader if they can't see the header names for pages and may just see the nav bar as images.

• Are there any issues with my navigation?

Response 1

Not at all, the navigation is very concise and it is clear where you need to be clicking to go where.

Response 2

The grid used on the main content pages work well but the size of the logo should be bigger than the ones on the nav bar.

Response 3

When clicking on a page it is a little confusing on how to get back to the home page due to the three other icons at the top.

Response 4

As for the other pages I would have all of the four circle links in the corner rather than just three so that they don't change order as for someone who doesn't know what the symbol means it can be quite confusing for them to swap places - you don't usually see one of the navigation links disappear when you click on it - just highlighted by colour, bold etc.

Response 5

I think you need all rollover buttons on navigation bar even when you are on that page, as you are relating the icon to that page mainly but then you don't see it on the page.

• Any other comments

Response 1

I think you need more on your home page as it looks too bare at the moment and I wouldn't be invited to look further.

Response 2

Website is very clean and content itself will be very easy to read and understand by layout choice. I think it will be a very good website when the content is added and navigation is more consistent as it is well presented.

Response 3

Possibly include more photographs of packaging?

Response 4

I find that the colour scheme works very well and is suited to your purpose but I think that the white background makes it look too corporate, so maybe an image at low opacity could be suggested.

Response 5

I love the aesthetic and the feel of the website, but would be cool to see how the homepage would work with the new layout, along with the photographs of the organic materials. I know you said it was starting to look cluttered but the images in each corner seemed like a nice idea. Just a thought, it is really 'nice' as it is anyway! Good choice of minimal colours, which fit with your theme and don't distract you from the content.

Personal Review

I found all of this feedback really helpful. However some of the comments made could have been a bit more constructive. I am going to take all of this in to consideration when completing my website and will make sure that I make informed decisions to suggest whether or not I feel all of this feedback would be appropriate to apply to my work.

Things I need to do:

• Consider all of the feedback given and made informed decisions about whether or not to make all of the changes which have been suggested. In doing so I will be able to complete my website knowing that I have taken in to consideration all of the given feedback.

OUGD504 - Design Production: Design For Web (Inspiration)

These examples have been influential to me for my website. This Next catalogue relates quite closely to the Rewined website in terms of the hand rendered illustrations. I could definitely apply this to my website somehow. 

This is some perfect primary research for the Vegware company who provide packaging made from plants and it is completely compostable. I found this in Froth & Fodder not long ago and thought it would be appropriate to post, just to show how it is becoming more and more popular to recycle and use compostable packaging to create a positive change.